Sheet metal printing machine



Nov. 1, 1932. HMUTZ" 1,885,634

SHEET METAL PRINTING "MACHINE Filed Nov. 7. 192'? 9Sheets-Sheet l [SW dot Z :74: J, SUAQnurZ J. SCHMUTZ NQV. a, ma

Filed Nov. 7. 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ane NOV. 1, SCHMUTZ SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. '7, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 gman coz J. Sefimufz Nov. 1, 1932. J. SCHMUTZ 885,634

SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7. 192'? 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 cf, Scfimielz:

NOV. 1, 1932. SCHMUTZ 1,885,634

SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Fil ed Nov. 7. 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 gin wanton a]: Safimuiir Nova 1, 1932. .LSCHMUTZ SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 gwuentoz o Scfimulz NOV. 1, 1932. Y J SCHMUTZ 1,885,634

SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7. 192 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 P i "iii 6.1501 mu s Nov. 1, 1932.

J. SCHMUTZ SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed ,Nov. 7, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 1, 1932. J, S M T I 1,885,634

, SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov., 7, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Nov. 1, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JULIUS SCHMUTZ, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY SHEET METAL PRINTING MACHINE Application filed November This invention relates to sheet metal printing machines and it consists in the' novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which is adapted to straighten the sheets of metal, apply printing thereto after having been. straightened and. finally deliver the printed. sheets in the form of a stack.

In the past, very crude methods have been followed for printing galvanized and black iron sheets. Attempts have been made to build machines which would satisfactorily print such sheets, but as a rule such machines have proven to be practically unsuccessful. Therefore, the practice of labelling or marking sheets of metal by the use of a hand rocker stencil is now being extensively resorted to. This method and operation is slow and costly and it is the general practice to mark. the top sheet only of a bundle or stack of sheets. With the present invention, the sheets can be printed with a trade-mark, trade name, gauge number, at a speed approximately up to twenty sheets per minute.

An important use for the present invention is in printing galvanized iron sheets going into the construction of galvanized iron culverts. By the use of the present invention it is possible to locate the printing at a desired place upon. each sheet. When these printed sheets are corrugated and made into galvanized iron culverts, the printed designs appear at the exact place wanted on the finished cul- .vert.. With the hand operated rocker arm, it is impossible to do this with any degree of accuracy and the saidhand method of stenciling is so slow as to be practically prohibitive.

Furthermore, in the hand stenciling systerm as mentioned, owing to the character of the marking ink used, smearing and blurring is hard to prevent. The ink will not dry rapidly enough to allow immediate stacking of the sheets. which further slows down the work. The hand stenciling operation does not produce uniform printing upon the sheets as the ink is heavier or thicker at certaintimes than. it is at other times. In the present invention the ink may be maintained in aconsistent condition so that regularity and 7, 1927. Serial No. 231,653.

uniformity of the printing of the sheets is at all times effected. The proper amount of ink is supplied to the printing plate and is evenly and smoothly distributed thereon by means of spreading. rolls, and to produce the best possible effect especially prepared ink: should be used in the printing ofthe sheets.

The machine includes means for simultaneously feeding and. straightening the sheets whereupon they are passed in flat condition toward a printing roll. Stop members are provided for checking'the advance movement of the sheets until such time as it is desired that they should pass under the cylinder. Manually operable electric means are provided for withdrawing the stop members from the path of movement of the sheets and the sheets are'passed one at a time under the printing cylinder and when the part of the sheet arrives immediately below the center of the cylinder where the printing should taheplace upon the sheet, the sheet is lifted so that the type plate which is carried by the cylinder and which has been supplied with the ink makes a printing impression upon the sheet. The said sheet lifting means is also operated by electric means. After the sheet passes under the printing cylinder, it enters between delivery rolls which eject the sheet from the machine in its printed condition, and in. a manner whereby the sheet may form one in a stack of the sheets which are subsequently deposited thereon.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the sheet metal printing machine looking at one side thereof.

Figure 2 is a similar view looking at the opposite side thereof, and with part of the machine broken away.

Figure 3 is a front elevational. view of one end portion of the machine.

Figure & is a similar view of the other end portion of the machine.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view, slightly enlarged, of the lower portion of the machine.

' Figure 6 is a similar View of the upper portion of the machine.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the machine.

Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of an upper corner portion of the machine, showing parts broken away and parts in section.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the printing cylinder, showing a type plate mounted thereon and parts thereof being broken away.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary sectional view of the printing cylinder.

Figure 11 is a similar view showing the type plate securing means in section.

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a set of plate straightening or flattening rolls used in the machine.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary edge elevational view of a type plate holder used in the machine.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of means used in the machine for oscillating the ink distributing roller.

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits used for operating the electric features of the machine.

The metal printing machine comprises a frame 1. having a shaft 2 mounted thereon. An electric motor 8 is mounted upon said frame. A relatively large pulley 4 is mounted upon the shaft 2 and a belt 5 is trained around the pulley 4 and a pulley 6 mounted upon the shaft of the motor 3. A cylinder shaft 7 is journalled upon the frame 1 and a large gear wheel 8 is fixed to the said shaft. A gear wheel 9 is fixed to the shaft 2a and meshes with the gear wheel 8. When the motor 3 is energized as will be explained hereinafter, rotary movement is transmitted from the shaft thereof through the belt 5 and the pulleys 4 and 6 to the shaft 2, and from the shaft 2 rotary movement is transmitted by belt 48 to pulley 46 which in turn drives a gear meshing with gear 8 and driving cylinder 10.

The cylinder 10 is provided upon its neriphery with a number of parallel circumferentially disposed grooves 11 and the said grooves are provided with undercut side walls having roughened surfaces 12. The grooves are further provided at their side walls with recesses 13 through which nuts 14 may be inserted into the grooves and moved along the same, thesaid nuts in turn being provided with roughened side surfaces 15 adapted to en age the under cut roughened surfaces 12 of the grooves. Strips 15 are provided at intervals with bolts 16 which enter the grooves and which are threaded to engagement with the nut 14, as best is shown in detail in Figure 11 of the drawings. The said strips are provided at their side edges with laterally disposed shoulders 17 which are adapted to extend over the edge portions of printing plate 18 and the said plates are provided with recesses 19 for the reception of type or cuts 20.

The cylinder 10 is provided upon its periphery and in the vicinity of its edges with graduation marks or characters 21, which may be used to serve as means for definitely determining which points or lines upon the periphery of the cylinder, the plates or types may be located and the spaces, if any, between adjacent bodies of type or plate. Thus, means are provided for accurately positioning the type or the plates upon the periphery of the cylinder and also for positively securing or holding the same with relation to the cylinder.

As best indicated in Figure 15 of the drawings, the motor 8 is electrically connected by means of conductors 22 and 23 with the terminals of a double throw switch 24 and is connected with high tension conductors 25. A rheostat 26 is connected in the conductor 23. When the switch 24 is closed the electric current is transmitted to the motor from the conductors 25 by the conductors 23 and 22. Thus, the motor is energized. By adjusting the rheostat 26, the strength of the current supplied to the motor may be regulated and, consequently, the motor may be caused to rotate at a desired rate of speed. Viring 27 connects a terminal of the double throw switch 24 with a single throw switch 28. Wiring 29 connects the other terminal of the double throw switch with a single throw switch 30. A conventional relay switch 31 operating in the usual manner is connected in the wirings 27 and 29 and when active may bridge a gap 32 in the wiring 27. The wirings 27 and 29 are connected with a magnet 38 which when energized, is adapted to operate a sheet lift-- ing mechanism, hereinafter to be described.

The inking mechanism of the printing machine comprises a fountain structure 34 which is mounted at the top of the frame 1 above the center of the cylinder lO. Brace rods 35 are provided between the intermediate and upper portions of the frame for steadying the fountain structure in its position upon the frame. The fountain comprises a flexible plate 36 upon which the ink, indicated at 37 in Figure 6 rests. A feed litroller 38 is journalled at the free edge of the plate 36 and the edge of the plate is held toward the said roller by means of screws 89 which pass through a rod 40 located below the plate and which bear at their upper ends the under surface of the plate. Means are provided, as will be hereinafter explained, for rotating the roller 38. By adjusting the screws 39, the free end edge of the plate ma be moved toward or away from the feed roller and consequently, means are provided for regulating the quantity of ink which is supplied from the feed roller. A distributing roller 41 is journalled below the feed roller and spaced therefrom and means, hereinafter ransom to be explained,are provided. for rotating. the distributing roller in orderto-spread the ink which. is received from: the feed. roll'er. An ink conveying roller 42 is. jhurnalled below the distributing roller 41 and contacts with the: lowerssi de of the same as best shown in Fig-u re- 6: of the drawings. link. transmitting rollers=43.have: contact withthe lower portion; of: the ink conveying roller at the opposite sides thereof and are also adapted to have contact with the type faces asthe-Qylinder-IO. rotates and. as. the? printing: plates are passed under the inking fountain.

Ink; transmitting-rollers 44 are mounted. upon: the shafts 45- and are locatedat the lowerportions of thecylindcr' 10a11d at th e opposite sides thereof, as best. shown. in Figure. 5 of thedrawvings; These rollers 44 have-con.- tact with the printing; surfaces of thetypes, asthe cylinder 10 rotates, and the plates which carry the type pass the said. rollers. Thus, the said rollers evenly. spread: the ink upon. thefaces of the type so that smooth and clear printing; impressions are made upon the sheets of metal as they pass under the cylinder; andaswill behereinafterexplained- The roller 42 is provided at its end with an annular groove &9- whiclr receives the up per portionzof a. lever pi'voted upon'abra-cket 51 mounted. upon the'f-rame 1-. The lower end of the lever 50 is provided with: a roller: 52: which. is. received. in a cam groove 53. pro-- vided in a disk 54 mounted; uponthe cylinder shaft 7 and: as best. shown in Figures t and. 8- of the drawings. Thus, as the shaft 7 rotates and carries the cylinder 10 around, the disk 54 is rotated whereby the camgroover rocks thelever 50 so thatthe roller 42 is reciprocated longitudinally and theink. which. is

; deposited. thereon, and as; hereinbefore de scribed, is. spreader distributed.v

The shaft of the roller 41 is provided with a cup 55 (.seeFigure 14; of the drawings) and an anti-friction device 56 is. received in the cup. The said device is carried by an arm As the shaft 7 rotates,the disk5t also rotates thus rocking the lever 50. as hereinbefore described, and inasmuchas'the upper end of the said lever enters the groove 4510f the roller 42, the said roller is reciprocated longitudinallyupon its supporting shaft. In that the roller 42 has contact with the inking rollers 43-, the ink which is deposited upon the roller 42 is spread upon the inking rollers 43 andconsequently; thesaid inkis in condition to be transferred tothe faces of the type. At

- the same time, thel'ever 50 which is connected with the lever 58 rocksthe said lever 58 whereby the arm 57 is moved vertically and shaft of the distributing roller 4:1,, the said roller 41 is lifted! at intervals out of contact with the roller 42 and, therefore, the movementof the inkfrom: the roller 4:1 to the roller 42: is at intervals interrupted. The rollers 43 and. 4:1, being of rubber or other soft composition, are operated; by frictional contact with. roller 42'. the latter being driven by the shaft: carrying pulley L6, assshown in Figure- 3 of: the drawings.

A friction disk. 61' is-fi'xed to the shaft of the mi ler 38. and a brake band: 62 is. trained around the periphery of the said disk. The ends of the band. 62 are pivotally connected with. a link. 63 at. spaced: points, and as best showniin Figure? of the drawings. An adjusting screw 64:: is threaded through oneend; of band 62 andf,.when 64 is tightened, coming in: contact witlr other end of band. 62, band 62 is spread so that it will move freely over disk; 61 in both. directions. This allows. roller 38-Zto remain stationary and. stop the feeding of theink. When screw 64: is loosened, band 62 grips-disk 61 on-v downward motion, but allows band 62 to slide on upward motion around the disk 61. without moving same. When the band 62 grips therd isk. 61 on a downward motion,; the disk; 61 causes the roller' 38 toturnapart' of'revol uti omthus feed.- ing; ink.

When the lever 66 is pulled down by eccentric" 68, which also pulls down the band. 62, the lower end ofthe'band 62 comes-incontact with: screw 65 which operatessmall lift lever 62,.th-is smalll lift lever in turn,.l'i-fting inking, roller 41.

Asthe shaft 7 rotates, the bar 66- has a. slightup and down movement caused. by the eccentric 68,. and raises and. lowers link. 63,. link. 63 binding and releasing disk 61.. The spreading and distributing of the ink from the distributing roller to the transferring" rollers is continuous, however, and, consequently,.the ink which. is withdrawn f-r0m;the' reservoir is kept in: theproper. limpid' condition. for application. to the faces of the type.

The sheet, feeding mechanism comprises a. pair of spaced rollers 69- journaled in bearings providedupon the frame 1. and. a table or skid 70'is mounted upon the frame in advance-of't-hesaid: rollers. A roller 71 isjournaled: in vertically movable bearings 72' mounted upon a frame I and is located above the innermostroller69z. Triangular arms 7 3t pivoted upon the endsof: the shaft. 7 and the said arms carry a roller 74 which is located above the outer roller 69': The" arms 7 3 are provided with wheels 7 5 which are adapted to travel; over the peripheries. of

cams 76 which: are fixed to a shaft 77 journa led' at the lower intermediate portion of the frame 1. A sprocket wheel 7 8 ismounted uponthe shaft. 7 and a sprocket Wheel 79 ismounted upon the shaft 77'. A. sprocket chain 80 is trained around the sprocket. wheels: 78: and 79 and: is adapted! to tran'smit.

rotary movement from the shaft 7 to the shaft 77. As the shaft 77 rotates, the cams 76 are carried around and the arms 73 are rocked vertically. Thus, the roller 74 is lifted at intervals. When the sheet of metal is fed to the machine, it is passed along the table until its edge portion enters between the outer roller 69 and the roller 74. WVhen the roller 7 4 drops, it encounters the upper surface of the sheet of metal and consequently, the sheet is drawn between the rollers 69 and the upper rollers 71 and 74. The rollers 69 are driven by a sprocket chain 81 which is trained around sprocket wheels 82 mounted upon the shafts of the rollers 69 and as best.

shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. A sprocket chain 83 is trained around a sprocket wheel 84 mounted upon the shaft of the inner roller 69 and is also trained around a sprocket wheel 85 mounted upon a shaft 86 journaled at the intermediate portion of the frame 1. Intermeshing gear wheels 87' (see Figure 2) are journaled at the side of the frame 1 and the teeth of one of the gear wheels mesh with a gear wheel 88 fixed to the shaft of the inner lower roller 69, and the teeth of the other gear wheel 8. mesh with the large gear wheel 8. The shaft 86 carries a roller 89 and is journaled in blocks 90 which are mounted for vertical sliding movement in the frame 1. The roller 89 is located directly below the center of the cylinder 10 and means, hereinafter to be described, are provided for raising and lowering the blocks 90 and the roller 89. Upper and lower sets of flattening or stretching rollers 91 are journaled upon the frame 1 behind the innermost roller 69 and when the sheet is passed from the feeding rollers between the sets of the flattening rollers, the sheet is straightened out and carried toward the center of the printing cylinder. During operation of the press the sheet to be printed passes between the cylinder 10 and the roller 89 which has been raised by the magnet 33 and supports the sheet in the proper plane for the type plate to act upon the upper face of the sheet. The roller 89 remains in the elevated position until one or the other of the switches 28 or 30 is opened. After the sheet has been printed, it is moved under the cylinder by the rollers 69 and 71 until the rear edge of the sheet enters between rollers 92 journaled at the rear side of the machine and the sheet is withdrawn from under the roller of the printing machine and deposited at the back of the machine so that a number of sheets may form a stack of sheets, all in printed condition. The rollers 92 are driven by suitable sprocket wheel and chain connections 93, best shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Wedge members 94 are mounted for longitudinal movement in the frame 1 and the lower edges of the blocks 90 rest upon the upper edges of the wedge members 94 as best shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. Shafts 95 are journaled at the intermediate portion of the frame 1 and are provided with lugs 96 which are disposed beneath the lower edges of the wedge members 94. Intermeshing gear wheels 97 are carried by the shafts 95 and one of the shafts 95 is provided with an arm 98 which is pivotally connected with the upper end of a plunger rod 99 operatively connected with the magnet 33, hereinbefore described, and adapted to be lowered when the said magnet is energized. The said shaft of the other wheel 97 is provided with an arm 100 upon which is mounted a weight 101. The arm and weight serve as a counterweight to rotate the shafts and return the wedges to a lowered position when the magnet is deenergized. When the magnet 33 is energized and the rod 99 is moved longitudinally, the wheels 97 are turned so that the lugs 96 lift the wedge shaped members 94 and, consequently, the blocks 90 carrying the roller 89 are lifted. The magnet 33 is energized by closing the switch 30 which is preferably located at a distance from the machine. The magnet 33 may also be energized by closing the switch 28 which is located at the side of the frame of the machine. Thus, the magnet may be controlled by an operator, who is near the machine or at a point in the vicinity thereof. When the switches 28 and 30 are closed the relay switch 32 closes and the current istransmitted from the wires 25 to the circuits which supply the magnet and the roller will be retained in an elevated position until the operator opens one or the other of the switches. The switch 30 which issecured against a wall or in any other convenient pos tion in a room serves as a master switch whereby operation of the press may be controlled and the switch 28 which is located upon the press is to be opened and closed when necessary by a person operating the press.

Manual means are provided for shifting the wedge members transversely across the shafts 95. Said means consists of a shaft 102 which is connected with the wedge members 94. An arm 103 is connected with the shaft 102 and is also connected with a lug 104 mounted upon a collar 105 pivoted at the side of the frame 1. A lever 106 is connected with the collar and is provided with a pawl 107 adapted to engage in perforations 108 provided at the side of the frame 1. By shifting the lever 106, the collar 105 is turned whereby the arm 103 is moved longitudinally and thus the wedge members are shifted under the blocks 90. Thus, manually operable means are provided for raising or lowering the blocks to hold the roller 89 at a normal level or position. This means for shifting the position of the roller 89 with relation to the cylinder 10 is to compensate for the differences inthickness of the plates which may be printed.

Spring supported fingers 109 are located between the lower rollers 69 as best indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. These fine gers are carried by socket members 110 mounted upon a shaft 111 and which is carried by arms 112 fixed to a shaft 113. An arm 11 1 is also fixed to the shaft 113 and rods 115 connect the free ends of the arms 114; with the triangular arms 7 3. Thus, when the triangular arms 73 are moved so that the roller carried thereby is elevated, the fingers 109 are disposed across the path of movement of the sheet which is to be printed. Therefore, while these fingers are in an elevated position, the sheet cannot enter the machine. When the roller 74 is lowered into contact with the sheet by the movement of the arms, the socket members 110 are lowered so that the sheet may enter between the feeding rollers. Thus, means are provided for holding the sheet until such time as the sheet which has passed through the machine in advance thereof has been printed and disposed of.

Thus, it will be seen that in printing the sheets, the printing plates and type are inked by being passed against four inking rollers two of which are just beneath the inking fountain and the others at points lower down along the sides of the printing cylinder. Sheets of any thickness may be fed and properly inked and printed. The machinewill accommodate sheets of any width up to sixty inches and any length to one hundred forty-eight inches which latter dimension is equal to the circumference of the printing cylinder. The sheet enters the machine at the feeding table. The feeding roller is raised by the triangular arms which allows the sheet to be fed in against the telescopic fingers. The purpose of the stop fingers is to hold the sheet until the cylinder has re volved to the proper place to begin the printing at the desired point on the sheet. The point of printing can be adjusted by moving the printing plates and type to different posit-ions upon the printing cylinder. When the edge of a sheet is against the fingers, the upper feeding roller drops and the fingers lower allowing the sheet to pass between the feeding rollers and under the printing cylinder. The sheet is held in proper position during 7 the printing operation by the straightening or flattening rollers and the said flattening rollers straighten out the sheet to receive the impression. After the sheet has beenprinted, it is passed to the delivery rollers, as hereinbefore described, and is ejected from the machine and a number of sheets may be collected in the form of a stack with the printed impression appearing at the same or correspond-ing areas upon each sheet in'the stack. i

1. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder journaled thereon, means for flattening and feeding the sheet and adjustable and movable means for lifting the leading sheet into contact with the cylinder.

2. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a'support, a printing cylinder j ournaled thereon, means for feeding the sheet toward the cylinder, barrier means for interrupting the forward movement of the sheet, said means being movable to release the sheet and adjustable and movable means for lift-.. ing the leading sheet into contact with the cylinder.

3. A sheet'metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder journaled thereon, means for feeding a sheet toward the cylinder, adjustable and movable means to lift the leading sheet into contact with the cylinder, barrier means for interrupting the forward movement of a second sheet prior to the completion of the printing of a previously inserted sheet thereto, said barrier means being movable to release the second sheet, and means connecting the sheet lifting means and barrier whereby the latter is actuated at predetermined times.

4. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder journaled thereon, means for feeding the sheet under the cylinder, adjustable and movable means for lifting the leading sheet into contact with the cylinder and means for withdrawing the sheet from under the cylinder.

5. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder journaled thereon, means for feeding the sheet under the cylinder, adjustable and movable means for lifting the leading sheet into con tact with the cylinder, means for feeding ink to the cylinder and for temporarily discontinuing the supply of the ink toward the cylinder at predetermined intervals, and means for Withdrawing the sheet from under the cylinder.

6. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder journaled thereon, means for. feeding the sheet under the cylinder and flattening the sheet during movement thereof intov position beneath the cylinder, adjustable and movable means for lifting the leading sheet toward the cylinder, and means for withdrawing the sheet from beneath the cylinder after being printed.

7. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder journaled thereon, means for feeding the sheet under the cylinder including'rollers for flattening the sheet as it moves under the cylinder, adjustable and movable means for lifting the leading sheet toward the cylinder,

means for temporarily interrupting the supply of ink toward the cylinder, and means for transmitting the ink upon the cylinder.

8. In a sheet metal printing machine, a

printing cylinder, means for feeding the sheet to the cylinder, means for lifting the leadlng sheet toward the cylinder, and electromagnetic means for actuating said last mentioned lifting means.

9. In a sheet metal printing machine, a printing cylinder, means for feeding the sheet toward the cylinder, stop means for interrupting the forward movement of a second sheet before completion of the printing of a previously inserted sheet thereto, means for withdrawing said stop means and means for lifting the leading sheet toward the cylinder, the last said means being electrically operated.

10. In a sheet metal printing machine, a printing cylinder, means for feeding the sheet toward the cylinder means for flattening the sheet, stop means for interrupting the movement of a second sheet prior to the comple tion of the printing of a previously inserted sheet, means for withdrawing said stop meansand means for lifting the leading sheet toward the cylinder.

11. In a sheet metal printing machine, a printing cylinder, means for feeding the sheet toward the cylinder, stop means for interrupting the forward movement of a second sheet prior to the completion of the printing of the previously inserted sheet and including finger elements, means for withdrawing the stop means from the path of movement of the sheet and means for lifting the leading sheet toward the cylinder.

12. In a sheet metal printing machine, a printing cylinder, means for feeding the sheet toward the cylinder, stop means for interrupting the forward movement of the sheet, said stop means including supported finger elements and means for lifting the leading sheet toward the cylinder.

13. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder rotatably carried by said support, a roller spaced beneath said cylinder, feed rollers for advancing sheets towards the cylinder, rollers between the feed rollers and first mentioned roller for flattening sheets as they are fed into position for engagement between the cylinder and first roller and means for vertically adjusting the first roller to lift the leading sheet towards the cylinder.

14. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder rotatably carried by said support, a roller spaced beneath said cylinder, inner and outer sets of upper and lower feed rollers spaced forwardly from the first mentioned roller, a series of upper and lower flattening rollers disposed between the first roller and inner set of feed rollers, and means for vertically adjusting the first roller to lift the leading sheet towards the cylinder.

15. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder rodisposed between the first roller and inner I set of feed rollers, said flattening rollers being of small diameter and disposed in a plane between contacting portions of the inner feed rollers and space between the cylinder and first roller, and means for vertically adjusting the first roller to lift the leading sheet towards the cylinder.

16. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder rotatably carried by said support, a roller spaced beneath said cylinder, inner and outer sets of upper and lower feed rollers spaced forwardly from the first mentioned roller, a series of upper and lower flattening rollers disposed between the first roller and inner set of feed rollers, the upper one of the outer feed rollers being movable vertically towards and away from the low roller, means for intermittently shifting the upper roller vertically, and means for vertically adjusting the first roller to lift the leading sheet towards the cylinder.

17. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder rotatably carried by said support, a roller spaced beneath said cylinder, inner and outer sets of upper and lower feed rollers spaced forwardly from the first mentioned roller, a series of upper and lower flattening rollers disposed between the first roller and inner set of feed rollers, the upper one of the outer feed rollers being journaled in hangers pivotally mounted whereby the said upperroller may be shifted towards. and away from the lower one of the outer feed rollers, means for acting upon said hangers and shifting the upper roller in timed relation to rotation of said cylinder, and means for vertically adjusting the first mentioned roller to lift the leading sheet towards the cylinder.

18. A sheet metal printing machine comprising a support, a printing cylinder rotatably carried by said support, a roller spaced beneath said cylinder, inner and outer sets of upper and lower feed rollers spaced forwardly from the first mentioned roller, a series of upper and lower flattening rollers disposed between the first roller and inner set of feed rollers, the upper one of the outer feed rollers being journaled in hangers pivotally mounted whereby the said upper roller may be shifted towards and away from the lower one of the outer feed rollers, a

shaft rotated with said cylinder, cams carried by said shaft and engaging said hangers to control swinging movement thereof and shift the upper roller in timed relation to the rotation of said cylinder, and means for vertically adjusting the first mentioned roller to lift the leading sheet towards the cylinder.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JULIUS SCHMUTZ. 

